My Dear Sir, I regret very much I did not see you on Monday morning before you started for Waiau, although I was in Mechanics Bay in what I consider reasonable time say 8 O'C --- but I have ascertained since that you were off at 7 --- Poihipi came to the office at 10 yesterday requesting to be paid £5.0.0 for leading the horses to Ahuriri, but your note to Baker doesnot refer to anything beyond halters therefore I professed profound ignorance of the entire arrangement excepting so far as a supply of food for the journey which you promised on Saturday and was accordingly furnished by me to that potential functionary. The Office is miserably dull since you left, and with the exception of the arrival of my friends the Hirohau from Kaipara, which places me in the midst of two fires, there is nothing new since you started for the diggings. I have just been to the Colonial Secretarys Office to see Gisborne on some Public business and asked him to have a glass of ale at Palmers where Fenton was who was talking of the L.P.D. and saying that Pollen was talking about being in a difficulty as regards the number of people who are likely to come out soon and demand land in accordance with the promises held out to them by the Agents of the Auckland Province and that they are disposed to throw the onus on the Native office. I replied that we could not make had land good and in fact there was not the land in the Province except where the Natives would not sell such as Waipa etc. Now I am clearly of opinion that these Provincial People have entered into arrangements of their own accord and it is probable from what Gisborne tells me that the agents have exceeded their authority in putting plackards up all over London gulling the benighted Englishman, but why this should be visited on the L.P.D. I am at a loss to conceive. However you will look upon this as a repetition of rambling casual conversation at the same time it has made a kind of impression on me as Pollen has been against me more than once or twice both in and out of office --- Mr. Strang and Douglas called at the office yesterday on their way into town and the old gentleman had an idea of going to Otahuhu with Outhwaite today, but I fancy they have not gone as the weather is unfavourable --- I saw the Honble. and Revd. just now, who regretted that he had not the opportunity of going to Coromandel with Dr. Sinclair and yourself. It is probable I shall not be in Auckland when you return but my trip to the country will be as short as I can make it and wishing you a pleasant trip I am Yours sincerely, J. Rogan Auckland 23rd Novr./58